•August 20, 2025•

University of Illinois Extension is now offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois. The Illinois Food Handler Training course equips staff and volunteers with the essential knowledge to ensure food safety from storage and preparation to cleaning and sanitizing.

This training is ideal for individuals who handle food in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, licensed day care centers, retail food stores, and other non-restaurant facilities. It fulfills the Illinois Department of Public Health’s requirements for non-restaurant food handlers and plays a critical role in preventing foodborne illness and protecting public health.

•August 20, 2025•

by Angela Hogan, R.N. 

MSPH, Administrator of the  Moultrie County Health  Department

The WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) connects women, children, and seniors with fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs through participating farmers’ markets. The program operates during the summer months until September 30, 2025. Eligible participants can enjoy healthy, seasonal produce while supporting local farmers. 

What is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program? The FMNP is a statewide initiative with two main goals. First, to improve nutrition for women, children, and seniors: Participants receive coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from authorized farmers’ market vendors. Second, to support local farmers and family farms. The program increases sales at farmers’ markets, encouraging growth and diversity in Illinois agriculture. 

•August 20, 2025•

Kala Cesar and Jeannie Ruppert attended the Psi Iota Xi National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 27th through 29th. The theme for the convention was “Share the Past, Experience our Future,” which celebrated the accomplishments of the Psi Iota Xi, led by Mickie Hansen, National President. 

IL marketplace to replace Healthcare.gov

•August 20, 2025•

“Get Covered Illinois” announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ transition to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Launched in 2013 as a branded portal to access Healthcare.gov, Get Covered Illinois will now operate as a full state-based marketplace. 

“Today marks a pivotal step towards bringing quality, affordable healthcare to all Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Operating a state-based marketplace will allow our state more flexibility to provide health insurance coverage that is tailored to the needs of our residents.”

“It was an honor to carry the bill establishing the state-based marketplace while I was a member of the General Assembly, and it is even more of an honor leading the Department to implement it,” said Illinois Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie. “At a time when the federal government is announcing healthcare cuts, Illinois is investing in building a marketplace that aims to increase access to health coverage for our residents.”

•August 20, 2025•

Submitted

Lake Shelbyville‘s Tree Stand Policy for this year will remain the same as it was last season. The policy allows hunters to leave one stand up for the season (“Seasonal Tree Stand”) and/or utilize up to two “Roving” stands that can be left up during archery season for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours – the length of a 3-day weekend. Seasonal tree stands may be placed 2 weeks before archery season and must be removed within 2 weeks of archery season ending. Archery season runs from October 1st, 2025, through January 18th, 2026.